Prometheus

[Peter Rauch]

> A little caution is due on this case. I was told by my major
> professor that they were studying the bristlecone pines and
> coring to get the age. The borrer got stuck in the tree and
> was very expensive so they cut down the tree to get it out.
> Then they found that it was the oldest tree. Don't accuse
> someone of doing a "dirty deed" unless you know the facts.
> C. Wetmore Univ. of Minnesota

According to the fellow who actually did the "deed", he said in
a tv program (NOVA?) that he was trying to get cores but
apparently couldn't get one to the center, so he decided to cut
it down to age it (i.e., there was no comment in his tale about
wanting or needing to save the tool). He also said that it was
pure serendipity that the very first tree he selected to age was
this now-famous one. He also realized what he'd done right away,
and was totally floored.

Peter